Britta Hellquist

Interest

Traditional construction techniques

Theater

Reading novels

Drawing

Sewing

Knitting

Costume history

History in general

Researching

Cooking/Baking

Historical reenactment

Film

Summary

I am a graduate of the Art Institute of Portland with a Bachelors degree in Apparel design, who also has a huge amount of interest in historical costuming. I have interned for the Portland Opera Company and am currently working on a short independent film called "Widow's Walk Lake". Though most of my experience is in costuming, I also have interests in lingerie and women's apparel. My goals are to start working for a theatrical or opera company or getting into design work.

Work experience

Work experience

Aug 2009 - Present

Costume Fabricator/ Wardrobe PA

Widow's Walk Lake

Constructed garments, made garment adjustments, worked on set as an extra, helped maintain historical accuracy, and worked with the Art Director.

May 2007 - Present

Customer Service

Fabric Depot

Help Customers and give professional advice and manage phone calls Contribute in store layouts, displays, and merchandising Trained new staff

Nov 2009 - Present

Sales Assocaite

The Lingerie Closet

Help customers with personal bra fittings, assist customers in finding perfect pieces for their lifestyle. Label and keep inventory of merchandize

Nov 2008 - Mar 2009

Stitcher/Intern

Portland Opera Company

Assisted on the opera "La Callisto" as well as did finishing work on "The Turn of the Screw" and "Rigoletto". Constructed garments, but also assisted in fittings, made garment adjustments, pattern making, and was part of design meetings.

Education

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The mission of The Art Institute of Portland is undergraduate design education. Degree programs at the college include both liberal education and professional education. Instructional programs require course work in communications, the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences and mathematics; they also prepare students for entry-level positions in design fields by focusing on the demands of professional practice. The college is dedicated to personal service. It also seeks to be an innovative center for design, a lively supporter of the arts, and a positive community partner in the city of Portland, the state of Oregon, and the greater Pacific Northwest.

- AiPD URL

2006 - 2009

The Art Institute of Portland

Skills

Skills

Organization

The ability to keep track or dates and information in a timely and cost effective manner as well as great communication and collaboration skills.

Research and Historical Knowledge

Large capacity for retaining historical knowledge, especially costume and silhouette, from all decades and researching historical themes and costumes for theatrical as well as apparel related concepts.

Fashion and Technical Illustration

Fashion and Costuming illustration with understanding of illustrating fabric.
Competent in computer aided as well as hand drawn flats/technical illustrations.

Pattern Making and Draping

Know how of traditional draping and flat pattern making, as well as computer aided pattern making programs.

Garment Construction

Advanced garment construction with a focus on couture and tailoring techniques, accompanied by expert knowledge of fabric/textiles and domestic and industrial machinery.

Portfolio Samples

While in school, I created, from concept to construction, a four piece collection which I had based loosly around the behavior of the Norma Desmond character in the film "Sunset Boulevard"

La Callisto Costumes

These are a few samples of the costumes in the Portland Opera Company's 2009 production of "La Callisto" that I had the pleasure in assisting construction while I was interning with the company.

Widow's Walk Lake still 2

Set during WWI, this love story has a dark-gloomy edge which was accentuated with its costumes and props selections.

Widow's Walk Lake still

My job as the Wardrobe PA on the independent short, "Widow's Walk Lake" was to help maintain historical accuracy in a period piece, dress actors, and take care of costumes.

References

References

Suzanne Moulton

Suzanne usually works with puppets at Laika Entertainment Company. She recently was the head of the Hair Department for "Coraline". I had the privilege to work with her during the production of "Widow's Walk Lake".

Francis Britt

Frances Britt has a long history in costuming. She is currently in charge of the costume shop at the Portland Opera Company.

Susan Bonde

Sue was the head of my department while I was in school as well as one of my professors. She has a history in Costume Design and I had the chance to see her work while interning at the Portland Opera Company.